Comments on: The UN Reports on Gaza: How Will We Respond?

By: Eric Selinger

Eric Selinger — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 22:57:02 +0000

Haim,

Thanks for reminding me of Emperor Caligula! He always wanted the Jews to worship him as a god. I’m sure he’s gratified to find a follower at last.

–EMS

By: Haim Katz

Haim Katz — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 13:26:20 +0000

Oh, if only you and your fellow “moserim” had but a one neck…

By: Goldstone’s Gaza - The Opinionator Blog - NYTimes.com

Goldstone’s Gaza - The Opinionator Blog - NYTimes.com — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:38:07 +0000

[...] Brant Rosen at Shalom Rav: “The long awaited UN Human Rights Council Fact Finding Report on Israel’s war in Gaza has finally been released and its conclusions [...]

By: Ross

Ross — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:08:07 +0000

In honor of Buddhist seders, here is a quote related to the above topic from the Dalai Lama, taken from a discussion he had with rabbis, printed in The Jew in the Lotus:

“Violence is like a very strong pill or drug. For a certain illness it’s very useful, but there are a lot of side effects. So then the worst thing, at the moment when you are about to decide, is that it’s very difficult to know what the result will be. Only when things happen, then afterward, time goes, then you see whether war or violence really produces satisfactory results. Like the Second World War or the Korean War, I think there were some positive results. But the Vietnam War, now the Gulf War, nobody knows what the result will be. So therefore always it’s better to avoid, this I feel.”

By: Eric Selinger

Eric Selinger — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:18:04 +0000

Brief analogy for consideration:

“Attacks by al-Qaeda have dropped dramatically since the US began torturing suspected terrorists. Sort of makes you think, doesn’t it? However some might want to object, the torture was the right thing to do.”

The Cheney defense, in short.

By: Lori Lippitz

Lori Lippitz — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:07:51 +0000

YBD, what it makes me think is that, yes, you can abate rocket fire temporarily by crushing with an iron boot. But history has shown that the long-term results can be a devastating backlash. Many bloody revolutions, from the French to the Bolsheviks to Germany and so on, have flown out of vengence for rivers of innocent blood. Your comment “Sort of makes you think, doesn’t it?” makes me think, yes–that Israel’s violent emotional reactions are NOT, in fact, evidence of long-term thinking. Long-term thinking results in stability like peace treaties with Egypt. Seeking revenge by taking out anger on trapped people unfortunate enough to have been born in Gaza may produce quiet, but not calm.

I heard NPR’s On Point debate with J-Street last night. It made me think: Given a choice between being a Jewish Progressive or The Eternal Jewish Victim, I choose the one more likely to yield results. “Therefore choose life, that both you and your offspring may live….” Happy New Year and pray for a Season of Change.

By: Eric Selinger

Eric Selinger — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:19:13 +0000

“Rocket fire from Gaza has dropped dramatically since Operation “Cast Lead”. Not only that, but HIZBULLAH in Lebanon did NOT fire any rockets at Israel during that period. Sort of makes you think, doesn’t it?”

What it makes me think, of course, is that ultimately, in politics, the end justifies the means.

I’m not entirely comfortable thinking that.

But, to be fair, that may just be my safe American squeamishness talking.

On the other hand, does this mean that the campaign was unobjectionable now (because it reduced rocket fire), but if rocket fire picks up again, or worse, it suddenly becomes problematic (because it didn’t work, in the long run)?

I’m not entirely comfortable with that shifting standard, either.

By: David D.

David D. — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:19:17 +0000

YBD–It makes me think that both Hamas and/or its independent allied fighting factions, as well as Hezbollah, are illegally trading goods, raising money, amassing weapons, fomenting hatred among the populace, and preparing for the next round. Because their will be a next round.

Surely you’re not thinking that the war in Gaza has changed the minds of Palestinians and Arabs? That they are now committed to a path of compliance and submission? That if they start their attacks again, another good bombing and some more dead women and children will solve the problem once more?

If it does make you think along those lines, then it’s making you think about the wrong things.

By: Trayf

Trayf — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:56:47 +0000

Unfortunately our border IS barbed wire here in the United States as well. Agreed that we have to fix that, but not that we can wait. And indeed a just resolution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict would make our country a better place too.

By: YBD

YBD — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:41:43 +0000

Rocket fire from Gaza has dropped dramatically since Operation “Cast Lead”. Not only that, but HIZBULLAH in Lebanon did NOT fire any rockets at Israel during that period. Sort of makes you think, doesn’t it?